160301-0017 - Koraibashi Bridge

Gorgeous view of Koraibashi bridge (高麗橋) over the Higashiyokobori River in Osaka in summer 1872 (Meiji 5).

A sidewheel steamboat (paddle steamer, 蒸気船) can be seen partially hidden under the bridge.

On the other (West) side of the bridge are buildings with yagura (櫓) turrets, which were known as Yagura Yashiki (櫓屋敷). Between the right yagura and the bridge stands a kosatsu (高札) notice board where official government notices were posted, usually laws and ordinances.

On both sides of the bridge are steps leading to the river, so boats could easily offload their cargo near their destination.

In 1870 (Meiji 3), the original wooden bridge here was replaced by this iron bridge built by Nagasaki based Alt & Co. It was the first iron bridge in Osaka.

In 1929 (Showa 4), the iron bridge was replaced with a concrete structure.